| Jose Alberto Huckleberry Jr. (mug shot DOC) A man who was due to be released (02-08-13) from prison in three days has been charged with the April 2011 murders of Donald and Helen Willingham. Jose Alberto Huckleberry Jr., 25, told investigators "he participated in the murders" of Donald and Helen Willingham on April 25, 2011. The Willinghams, both 79, were found stabbed to death in their home at 2919 W. Swan near Springfield after Mrs. Willingham called 9-1-1 shortly before 6 a.m. to report a man was attacking her husband. When a police officer arrived six minutes later, he found the couple dead on the floor of their modest home.  Donald and Helen Willingham When Huckleberry was interviewed by detectives on April 30th and May 1st of last year, he admitted that he had broken into the couple's home, but only intended to rob them. Huckleberry has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, armed criminal action and a single count of burglary. Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott says investigators interviewed two suspects in the case within 72 hours of the double homicide on unrelated charges, but they were released after investigators failed to gather enough evidence to charge the pair with murder . Over the past two years, Arnott has literally begged for help from the public in seeking information that could help investigators solve the case. Arnott says over five hundred pieces of evidence were collected at the crime scene and some are still at the state crime lab for forensic testing. He says the murders of the Willinghams appeared to be "random" crime. Huckleberry, who has convictions for burglary, assault of a law enforcement officer and violating an order of protection, is currently incarcerated at the Western Center and Diagnostic Center in St. Joseph on a probation violation connected to a commercial robbery. Greene County Prosecutor Dan Patterson says the investigation into the Willinghams murders continues and others could be charged as a result of the investigation. |
6 comments:
After almost 2 years it's nice to finally see a charge emerge for this heinous crime. Thanks for the update Crime Scene! Such a horrible tragedy.
I lived there at the time and lived down the street from this couple they were alwayd so friendly when I would swe them..... So glad they finally got this beautiful couple justice....
Jose Huckleberry trial. I was visiting Springfield the weekend this happened. The story was very disturbing and for the following months I often google searched to see if the murders were ever caught. After a while I disappointingly gave up on that ever happening. Today something prompted me to re check. Glad to hear that justice might be served.
Don and Helen were positive influences in my youth and to many others. They were loving people who devoted their lives to showing the love of Christ through them. I'm saddened by this horrific way to go, but I know they are in Heaven with God. Praises!
Don and Helen were positive influences in my youth and to many others. They were loving people who devoted their lives to showing the love of Christ through them. I'm saddened by this horrific way to go, but I know they are in Heaven with God. Praises!
Jose fits this bill for this crime because of his prior convictions.
No DNA of his was found at the scene, no physical evidence was found at the scene of Jose that proves he was involved, one witness that saw a subject couldn't identify Jose at the scene, the surveillance video shown in the media at Kum and Go store that showed a male in a black hoodie was identified later to not be Jose or was never identified at all, a juvenile that stated that he was at the scene when the murders took place was never tested for DNA Found at the scene, not sure if this is the same suspect(juvenile) but another suspect pleaded the 5th so that made him untouchable. The detectives were properly trained they said in the Reid Technique that was obviously used on a non-educated, low IQ ,mentally ill, troubled childhood individual.
The only thing they have on Jose is the interrogation video stating that he doesn't recall the events taking place and used psychological manipulation which is easy to do on a individual that is mentally unstable.
The prosecutor saw this as a hit and run and they got em. This was so easy to manipulate the jury. The system failed Jose from the time he was born. Being physically abused, sexually abused, in and out of foster care, left in parks with his other siblings to fend for in the cold. Locked in rooms for days and having to witness his 12 year old brother commit suicide because of the unstable upbringing.
I know the blogger wont post this but you allowed for a innocent man take the rap for a crime he didn't commit.
There is a lot of unanswered question and this is a false confession and we are going to prove Jose's innocence til we can no longer walk on this earth.
I am sorry for the family's tragic loss but you have the wrong man who perfectly fits the crime without sufficient evidence.
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